Newbie Laverda owner.

So, here we go, be gentle with me........ ::)

As much as I look at all the photos I can find, old Classic Bike articles etc and other bikes for sale I can't work out what is right and what is wrong. The frame number LAV.750.*1525 suggests it is an early 750S but it has Laverda brakes and SF tank/features..!

There's another number below the frame number that I can't quite make out. It's something like DGM.5934.OM. What is it?

So, ponder over the following photos and tell me what you think. You may have seen the bike on ebay, It was local to me and I found it by another source after the vendor said the sale had fell through. I paid no where near the final price, I'd have hung myself if I had.

I must point out that I bought the bike to use and tend to prioritise reliability over originality. I don't subscribe to the 'all show and no go' school of thought although I admire anyone with the skills and time to turn out a perfect bike.

Things I've noticed so far:

Laverda brakes front & rear, different to other SF's I have looked at online.
ND clocks and Bosch ignition switch, ignition live when key is pushed in.
Lucas switchgear, more normal on BSA/Norton. All works though.
Engine number 1525, but has SF1 stamped into casing at lower mount.
PHF36 carbs - no airbox, just trumpets.
Laverda on various fixings around the bike.
CEV front and rear lights.

Here's hoping for some good news....... How can it be so easy to fall for some fresh orange paint and that exhaust tone?

Stuart

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That looks like a very nice SF1 to me. Brakes, switches, carbs etc are exactly like my brothers SF1 when he bought it.
Some of the boffins can discuss the numbers.
You'll love it  :)
 
Stuart,

Congratulations on your new purchase.

When you get a chance, can you post a photo of frame and engine numbers - should be all that is needed to identify, but it looks for all the world like an SF1 (though front brake would normally be later type) and if it is 1525x I would guess that to be 1973.

All the best to you - you have a great looking bike there!

Andrew
 
If the G on the numberplate is the year it will be around 1969, 1970 era when first registered.
 
Hi Stuart,

she looks like a 1973 SF1:

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/lav04010700.html
So for 1973 Laverda's 750 twin got the boost it needed, in the shape of the SF1
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  ;)

It seems, that all original factory images can easily identified: they are photographed with all stands up - but bike is not falling down.

- has the alternative two person seat (with new cover).
- the handlebar was stolen from a laverda triple - known as well adjustable
- the big connection tube under the engine is gone - if you want to drive not only straight ahead - this helps to keep ground clearance.
- is the exhaust bolted directly to the back-frame without silent block?
- the rear brake cable is not in a good shape

Have fun,

Greetings, Jens

it could be a good idea to check the ignition settings and the carb settings soon  - even, if she "runs".
 
gibbo-123 said:
There's another number below the frame number that I can't quite make out. It's something like DGM.5934.OM. What is it?
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That is the italian homologation no., issued by the italian DoT.

The Compliance Certificate issued on 28th. November, 1972 by the Ministero dei Trasporti e dell'Aviazone Civile for the SF1 is numbered DGM 11068 OM.

The earliest homologation certificate I have is for a 750SFC, issued May, 1971, no. DGM 9217 OM

Your frame is therefore from an earlier model..... most likely indeed an "S".

You could also check the fork yokes.  Early yokes were stamped "ARCES" (ARturo CEriani / Samarate), sometime around 1970/71 this was altered to "CERIANI".

piet
 
Hi Piet,

That answers some of my questions, thanks. So what I have is probably a 750s engine & frame (the numbers match) that has had a full compliment of SF1 parts fitted at some point in it's life. Interestingly the engine casing has SF1 stamped by one of the lower engine mounts.

Andy Wagner's catalogue arrived in the post today  :D. Some good reading for the week ahead.

regards,

Stuart
 
If the engine number is as early as 1525 and the lower half has SF1 stamping then there is a possibility that you have a mixed pair of cases, which is usually not good news, as they were machined as a pair. Poor fitting and leaking can be the result.

Marnix
 
Stuart,

can you take a picture of the engine number (and the frame number) perhaps in a little bit better quality as in the attached image?

It is to see, if the stamping is perhaps not default.

The first engines did have no strengthening ribs at the bottom left of the cylinder. The last evolution of engine cases had two ribs as your one.

Im am not sure: how can a case with number 1530 have no strengthening rib (as in the picture of my previous post) and your engine with the lower number 1525 have two strengthening ribs.

Jens
 

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I guess the real number is 11525, the leading 1 being either removed or not stamped correctly. Would wonder me though if that happened to the papers as well as to the case AND frame...

What do the papers tell? Any number in there?
 
Oh dear, should I start to wander what I've bought.

I looked at the lower yoke and it has CERIANI Made in Italy cast into it.

You can see evidence that the frame has been red at some point in it's life.

The bike was imported into the UK in 2000 (don't know where from but i have the previous 2 owners addresses to contact) hence the numbers on the V5c exactly match the bike. I guess someone would have produced a dating certificate to get it registered. ILOC or maybe Slaters?

Engine number:

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Frame number, a little difficult to see having been painted over a couple of times. I may scrape some paint away and have a better look:

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SF1 stamped into lower part of engine:

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Thanks chaps,

Stuart
 
Stuart - definitely something amiss.  The engine number was stamped into the 'as cast' finish at the factory, so the smooth appearance of yours suggests that some 'fettling' has been done.  The digits seem out of proportion too.  Attached image shows what I mean
 

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gibbo-123 said:
Oh dear, should I start to wander what I've bought

Don't wonder . If it came at the right price and you like it ride it and be happy the summer is nearly here get out on it and chalk it down to experience  ;) or i will give you a tenner for the dodgy thing :D
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See what you mean Brad. Mmmm.... things don't add up. It's in the garage now so there's little point in pondering over what mistake I've made in buying it and I just need to get on and fettle it to ride. It's certainly growing on me.

I still need to sort out exactly what I've bought. Has the engine been changed at some point and the numbers doctored to keep the frame and engine a matching pair?

troutbishop, thanks for the offer, i've already put it down to experience.....

I'm still smiling.

Stuart
 
LJ, your right there mate, in my first post I was worried about buying a lemon. Now I've bought one, at least it's orange..... :D

Aiming to get to the ILOC National meeting in September on it.

Stuart
 
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